The thanks and giving season is alive and well in Lakeside. The Chamber of Commerce held its Community Toy Drive last Thursday. According to President Frank Hilliker, it was a rousing success. Folks poured into the Lakeside Community Center with arms full of unwrapped toys, gleaming with smiles and getting into the Christmas Spirit. But Hilliker gives all the credit to Brenda Asaro, the owner of Cafe 67. He said she was the one who started this Toy Drive at her restaurant several years ago.
The thanks and giving season is alive and well in Lakeside. The Chamber of Commerce held its Community Toy Drive last Thursday. According to President Frank Hilliker, it was a rousing success. Folks poured into the Lakeside Community Center with arms full of unwrapped toys, gleaming with smiles and getting into the Christmas Spirit. But Hilliker gives all the credit to Brenda Asaro, the owner of Cafe 67. He said she was the one who started this Toy Drive at her restaurant several years ago. When it became so popular it outgrew her restaurant, they moved over to the VFW Hall then to the Rodeo Grounds Hall for a few years and then again it grew too large for that venue, so they now host the event at the much larger Lakeside Community Center.
For just the cost of a $5 toy, food, drinks and entertainment were provided and students from several schools came to sing and dance for the happy guests. Several local restaurants donated food, which included Cafe 67, Pizza Hut, Ottavios, East Bound, LaPalapa, Antique Row Cafe, BoWeevil and Amore Cheesecake. Assaro said that Pastor Ralph Goodrich was on hand and he will see that the toys and gifts go to the Christian Helps Center, which is comprised of all the Lakeside churches, working together.
On a day closer to Christmas parents can come to the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church and “shop” free for their children’s Christmas gifts. They can also receive groceries for a full Christmas Dinner to prepare at their home. Asaro said that all the families had been preapproved, some had been recommended by the Lakeside School District and others by their church for help if they were struggling to get through the holidays.
“This is truly a great community event, I hope everyone knows this is done by Lakesiders for Lakesiders, neighbors helping neighbors”, Asaro said.
Meanwhile the Lakeside Historical Society was swarming with activity last Saturday. Their volunteers were busy elves…getting ready for their annual Mrs. Claus Christmas Resale Shoppe.
All during the year the Historical Society collected gently used Christmas decorations and gifts that will be for sale in their gift shop. It was stored in the basement and in a storage container. On the day of set up, men with trucks hauled all the boxes of holiday items to the Olde Church, home to the Society. The ladies set about organizing and displaying the Holiday Decorations in an attractive way. Hundreds of Christmas items filled the church to the brim.
Mrs. Claus Resale Shoppe was the brainchild of Nita Finder and it has grown and grown over the years. Finder said she got her start at the popular yard sales the Society hosts every year.
She started setting aside Christmas decorations to put into the gift shop. Little by little the inventory of decorations grew and soon she decided to expand it into the rest of the Olde Church.
Now it has almost outgrown the building and it spills out into their courtyard. Folks come from all over San Diego to get in on the wonderful bargains and cheap prices … too good to pass up. All of these items were donated by generous Lakesiders who may be moving or downsizing their homes. Some have decided they just do not want to decorate any more. They are very generous and others reap the benefits and take home wonderful pre owned decorations. There are trees, lights, ornaments, dolls, teddy bears, linens, stockings, dishes and much more.
While the workers arranged, priced and displayed the items, Pennie McMahon was busy in the kitchen, making up a batch of chili and other good food to make sure her workers got well fed. “It’s the least I can do for them”, she said. The Mrs. Claus Christmas Resale Shoppe will be open beginning December 1 through December 23, 10am until 2pm. Closed Sundays. You may call the History Center at 561-1886 for further information, or to donate pre owned decorations.
Marrokol Construction is always in the giving spirit as well, each year they make gift certificates for the Christian Help Center. Families can use their certificates to buy items at Mrs. Claus Resale Shoppe and get a nice tree and decorations for their home at very reasonable prices and they are always very appreciative. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in Lakeside.
